(Who the hell is this guy? I thought you said Mark Hunt was coming here.)

Former PRIDE and K-1 star Mark Hunt is taking his last kick at the can of his mixed martial arts career seriously as evidenced by the photo above. Not only has he transformed his body from its rotund former self, he has also joined American Top Team, where he will spend the last month of his training camp preparing for his September 25 UFC debut opposite former fellow super heavyweight, Sean McCorkle at UFC 119 in Indianapolis.

Hunt’s critics have always pointed to his lack of conditioning and the fact that he didn’t train with a top-tier team in his native New Zealand as the reasons why he never got past his role as gatekeeper in PRIDE. Even fights that Hunt was winning, he always seemed to find a way to lose, usually as a result of his lack of cardio or his lack of a ground game.

(THAT’S the Mark Hunt we remember)

Now it seems that he is taking the necessary precautions to ensure that his past weaknesses have been shored up, which should make for an exciting fight with 6’7" ground specialist, McCorkle, who has also gotten into tremendous shape of his own for the tilt and is reportedly already close to his pre-cut weight.

(McCorkle light)

Hunt has one fight remaining as a carry-over from his PRIDE contract, which UFC president Dana White mentioned this weekend during the UFC 118 Fan Expo Q&A session, was the only one that Zuffa was obligated to honor from their purchase of the Japanese promotion.

Cagepotato Comments

Showing 1-25 of comments

Great to see the Big Boppa in UFC, hopefully hes got some serious cardio training under his belt

OMAgod- September 2, 2010 at 9:40 am

@Mike I'm not sure why Corky chose douchebag asshole for his 'act' but it sure fits him well. He says some of the most arrogant shit on the UG and acts like he is hot shit with his 0-0 record in the UFC. Even going so far as to challenge others to fights 'if they can even make it to the UFC'. It's fun when people have a personality and character but it just makes you look like a total douche when you do it like Corkles.

Mark Hunts opponent is Sean McCorky. The guy posts frequently on the UG and is possibly the most arrogant, cocky asshole around. I hope Mark smashes Corky's face in and sends him back to the backyard shows where he belongs. That is of course is Corky can make weight - he's around 316 pounds or so which means fatty will need to cut 51 pounds.

Almost North- September 1, 2010 at 8:30 pm

The Hunt is only 5'10 or something like that.

He really is starting to look like Eddie Bravo's older fatter brother.

MediumRare- September 1, 2010 at 7:21 pm

Either Jeff Monson is wearing stilettos or Hunt is shorter than I thought.

Holy Fucking Cthulhu, I had to do a triple take before it sank in that the mook in the middle was Mark Hunt! Goddamn, that guy lost a metric shit ton of weight. Hopefully his cardio will be up to the task. I always liked seeing that big fucker in the ring, and I hope he has a lot of time with the UFC.

Robocop Didnt Tap- September 1, 2010 at 6:02 pm

It just won't be the same w/o hearing MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWKKKKKKKKKK HUNNNNNTTTTTOOOOOOOOOOO!

Under Banga- September 1, 2010 at 5:21 pm

Welcome Mark
some people have short memories .Check out Hunt Vs Fedor ,close but no cigar ,Hunt Vs Ray Sefo ;bangathon!
After he won in K1 Hunt seemed to be too "satisfied" and lost condition .
Really hope he has his sprawl sussed .Cos this guy has got a really hard head an has world class stiking .In my opinion he is better qualified to fight mma than Mr Lights out and has more weapons .
Very interesting to see his profile ,he used to be bigger than Big Country could he be takin this seriously ?
Bing

Null Kuhl- September 1, 2010 at 5:05 pm

Nah, I just read it on the Sherdog forums on Monday (hxxp://www.sherdog.net/forums/f2/wow-mark-hunt-got-shape-ufc-119-a-1337571/). I think you guys do a great job here, most of the time. I was just acting like a jerk so people here would like me. You know, like how women are always after the guys that treat them poorly.

2DaDeath- September 1, 2010 at 4:54 pm

I used to get excited about Mark Hunt fights because of the movie Once Were Warriors. What a let down.

Merlin- September 1, 2010 at 4:47 pm

I've always liked that Big Blond Samoan, I hope he comes back with a vengeance.
And doesn't loose too much weight doing it.

Ballkick- September 1, 2010 at 4:34 pm

“If you have no critics you'll likely have no success.”
CP can't be able to get every story out to us as soon as it breaks. I still think the team here do their level best. And that is all I ask.

Props to CP for the job your doing.

Mike Russell- September 1, 2010 at 4:30 pm

You must have a time machine. ATT just announced that Hunt joined the team today.